The 2026 season for Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala began with a valiant but ultimately heartbreaking effort in Auckland. Eala's campaign at the ASB Classic came to a close in the semifinals on Saturday, January 10, after a grueling three-set battle against seventh seed Wang Xinyu of China.
A Grueling Three-Set Battle
The match, which lasted over two hours, showcased intense rallies and shifting momentum. Eala found herself in a deep hole early in the first set, quickly falling behind 0-4 against her higher-ranked opponent. Despite her efforts, she was unable to recover from that initial deficit, dropping the opening set 5-7.
Demonating her trademark resilience, Eala fought back fiercely in the second set. She built a promising 5-3 lead and seemed poised to level the match. Although Wang managed to claw back to 5-5, Eala dug deep to win the next two games, forcing a decisive third set and keeping her hopes alive.
Injury Concern Mars Final Set
The final set, however, presented a new challenge. Eala again fell behind early, trailing 0-3. At this critical juncture, the match took an unfortunate turn as Eala called for a medical timeout. She temporarily left the court due to discomfort in her back, a concerning moment for her team and supporters.
Upon her return, the deficit had grown to 0-4. True to her fighting spirit, Eala mounted a final charge, winning four of the next five games to close the gap to 4-5. Unfortunately, she could not complete the comeback, with Wang Xinyu closing out the match 6-4 in the third set.
Looking Ahead to Melbourne
This defeat marks the end of Eala's first tournament of the 2026 season. With the ASB Classic now behind her, the young Filipina ace will immediately shift her focus to her next competitive assignment. Her journey continues in Australia, where she is set to compete in the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, a traditional warm-up event ahead of the Australian Open.
While the loss in Auckland is a setback, Eala's performance against a top seed demonstrated her competitive level. Her ability to push through adversity and fight until the last point remains a hallmark of her game as she builds her experience on the professional tour.
